Glass Countertops

In today’s kitchen, modern, sleek lines are very popular. It is no wonder that glass countertops are a growing trend in these kitchens. After all, glass countertops blend quite well with another popular kitchen trend, aluminum finish appliances. In addition, these countertops are very easy to clean and maintain. When you are shopping for glass countertops, you should be sure that all of the edges are rounded or beveled to avoid sharp corners.

At the 2002 Kitchen and Bath Industry show and the 2003 International Building Show, glass countertops were singled out as the material for countertops that is enjoying rising popularity. And it is no wonder, since glass counter tops give a sleek, modern design to any room of the home.

The best glass countertops are made from glass which is ½ inch to 1 inch thick, with polished sides and rounded edges for safety. Most glass countertops have brackets for support or can fit onto a standing console table.

Usage

A glass countertop can be used on almost any surface. You can put glass shelves in your bathroom or make your entertainment center tinted glass with wooden bases and cabinets. The glass used for glass countertops usually has a greenish tinge, but you can select glass in a variety of shades.

The best kind of glass to use is a non-porous and durable slab that can bear 300 lbs of weight. Having said this, if you smash a pot into the glass, it will probably break, so it best not to assume that durable means break-proof.

Glass countertops do require a lot of care and cleaning, so make sure you are prepared to wipe fingerprints off of the surfaces periodically with a towel. Make sure that you handle the glass with care, because any cracks cannot be repaired, and avoid scratching the surface of the glass.

Since all of these countertops will be made using safety glass, you won’t need to worry about having your countertop shatter into sharp pieces if an accident occurs. However, if you drop a heavy object on it, the glass can become cracked or pitted. Because of this, you may not want to use a glass countertop in high traffic areas.

Another problem with glass countertops is that they can quickly become dirty. Every fingerprint, smear, and streak shows up instantly, and any type of glass seems to be a magnet for children, who love to press their noses against it. Of course, wiping the grime away doesn’t take long, so this isn’t a major drawback.

While most people think of clear glass when they think about glass countertops, you can also find colored glass. This allows you to really add color and texture to your kitchen. Of course, if you use a glass countertop with display space beneath it, you can have plenty of color and texture with clear glass, too. One of the most popular ways to use this display space is to fill it with things like:

Beans

Pasta

Whole Grains

Dried Flowers

Seashells

Of course, you could also display vintage kitchen utensils or linens in the space. If glass countertops seem to be a little too much for your kitchen, you can still use this glass display space idea.

Glass drawer fronts are another popular trend in today’s kitchen and even a single drawer front filled with tricolor pasta or small kitchen canisters can really add some fun and color to your kitchen. Of course, with this option, you are giving up some of your valuable storage space, since part of your drawer is being used by the glass front.